Social Capital

This is a paradigm used to explain differences in health and illness between social groups. It is a sociological theory that states that the quantity and quality of a person’s social relationships and social networks play an important part in their maintenance of health and at the same time provide resources for their recovery from illness.

Social Capital The idea is that the more people you know and the type of people you know will affect your health. For example, if you have lots of friends and work in a professional environment, you are more likely to have access to information about health and good health care.

Social Capital Social networks influence disease patterns: 1.Forces of social influence 2.Levels of social engagement and participation 3.Regulation of contact with infectious disease 4.Access to material goods & resources

Social Capital Social relationships & affiliation have powerful effects on physical and mental health. Often social networks, social support, social ties & social integration are used interchangeably (but they are different). Attachment theory (Bowlby) – universal human need to form close affectional bonds. Created in childhood, adult equivalent = marriage (offers security).

Measurement of Social Capital Network analysis (structure & composition of the network) –focuses on the characteristic patterns of ties between actors in a social system rather than on characteristics of the individual actors themselves and use these descriptions to study how these social structures constrain network members’ behaviour.

Social Capital Problems: –Needs to describe more precisely the linkages between health, social membership and social psychological well being –Needs to give a more coherent account of these social relationships

Related Terms Cultural Capital –This refers to the familiarity someone has with the dominant culture in a society, particularly the ability to understand and use ‘educated’ language. –The more cultural capital you have the greater your educational achievements Educational Capital –Research on his area indicates that it isn’t necessarily the schools that impact upon a child’s educational attainment but the support and influence the child gets from his/her parents and the other parents in a school.